Fallen is #13 in the Kate Burkholder series and follows Chief of Police Kate Burkholder as she solves the brutal murder of Rachael Schwartz, a trouble Amish girl that Kate once knew. I did figured out who was behind the murder before it was revealed, but still enjoyed the read. Fans of the series, as well as those who enjoy murder mysteries, will definitely enjoy the latest addition.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I can always depend on Linda Castillo to deliver. I love this series! For those new to Castillo, all of her novels take place in Painters Mill, Ohio, which is a small town in the heart of Amish country. The protagonist of the series is Kate Burkholder. Kate was raised in the Amish community, but left at 18. (Her backstory and the reason she left the community is told in Sworn to Silence, the first book in this series.) Her parents are gone, but her sister and brother and their families are still in Painter Mills. Kate now serves as the chief of police and is in a long-term relationship with John Tomasetti, who is an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Fallen is the 13th book in the Kate Burkholder series. It reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although I highly recommend reading the series in its entirety. In Fallen, we meet Rachel Schwartz. Like Kate, Rachel was raised Amish, but had been shunned (similar to excommunication in the Catholic religion). She was several years younger than Kate, but Kate knew her from babysitting. Rachel always had a wild streak when she was young, and apparently, that persisted as she aged. She appears in the first chapter of Fallen when she checks into a motel in Painters Mill. On her first night in town, Rachel is brutally murdered, beaten to death in what would appear to be a crime of passion.

Solving Rachel's murder will take Kate deep into the Amish community as she tries to piece together Rachel's life and what lead to her murder. Linda Castillo is a talented author, and I think all of her books are outstanding. Her plotting is always tight, and her characters always come alive to the reader.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I recommend Fallen to fans of Castillo, as well as those who just enjoy a solid murder mystery.

Wow! Incredible read. The characters are complex, well-developed and interesting - and not what I have come to expect from books set within the Amish community. Fallen kept me up late because I just could not put it down. I had to know how it ended and have to admit that the ending surprised me. I definitely did not see it coming.

Chief Kate Burkholder is new to me but I am enthused to know I can read all of Castillo's previous books in the series to get to know Kate better from the beginning. I liked this book that much. A n Amish setting is well depicted and the murder at the beginning captured my attention and kept me reading. I had no difficulty getting caught up in the characters although this is my first read in the series. I did figure out who did it before the reveal but it was still satisfying to read on. Fans who already follow this series should find themselves just as riveted as new readers.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

I haven't read the others in the series but it wasn't hard to get into this one. Even if I am missing some backstory for the detective, it's not frustrating.

The murder itself was more graphic than I expected. Murder is horrible and the description does not allow you to forget that.

The Amish backdrop factors into the story so it's not just an interesting but irrelevant layer. However, it felt like it could be more integrated.

I figured out the murderer by Chapter 16 but the investigation and the rest of the book still held interest. The writing is not in the least annoying. Based on just this book, the series seems like a fun indulgence for others who enjoy a crime/procedural series.
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Linda Castillo has done it again. Her novels never get old and that certainly is true with the 13th in this series. Although this works well as a stand alone, for readers who want the nuances of the characters' private history, one can take a magic carpet ride from the beginning. Kate Burkholder, formerly of an Amish order, has left the flock and ventured out into the world of the English. She now is a police chief in a small town called Painters Mill. The story starts out with dynamite as she discovers a gruesome body of someone she had grown up with. The murdered victim was savagely beaten almost beyond recognition. Thus begins her search for the killer, as she unwinds stories from the Amish families to ascertain the real truth about the murdered victim. The book kept me riveted to the final pages -a bomb detonating to an unexpected conclusion

It’s been almost a whole year since Linda Castillo has written a book - so I was thrilled to be given the chance to read it by NetGalley and the publisher. This is book #13 in this series and I love all her Amish books. This was a quick read for me and kept me glued to the pages. Really enjoyed it! To be published July 2021. Thank you NetGalley!!

Reading the next installment in the Kate Burkholder series has become a summer tradition for me. After the school year ends, I read the next short story in the series and then dive into the next novel as soon as it becomes available. I love this series and cannot wait to read about Kate's next adventure as a cop in Amish country and also check in on how her relationship with Tomasetti is progressing.

I have no idea how she does it, but Linda Castillo has written another amazing thriller starring the ex-Amish Chief of Police. Fallen starts out with a bang as the opening scene details the murder of another formerly Amish woman who returned to Painters Mill only to be greeted by a murderer. The beginning is definitely graphic, which will bother some readers, but I didn't find it overly grotesque. It definitely gave the story an edge that has not always been present in previous Kate Burkholder novels. Kate feels connected to the victim because of her own experiences leaving the Amish fold and sets out to apprehend the killer before more victims show up. This novel is full of suspense and has twist after twist to keep you on your toes. All of the readers' favorite characters are there to support Kate as well.

I consistently give 4-star reviews to many of these books. I love the characters and the mysteries are always entertaining, but, I'm stingy when it comes to giving out 5-star ratings. In fact, the last Burkholder novel I gave 5 stars to was #8, Among the Wicked. It has to be un-put-down-able (yes, I'm making a new word here) to earn such a high rating from me and I'm so happy to say that Fallen checked all the boxes. I devoured it in two sittings. It was so action-packed and suspenseful that the pages seemed to turn themselves. Kudos to Linda Castillo for being able to still write such fresh and exciting material thirteen novels in to a series. The only bummer here is that now I have to wait a whole year to read the next one!

*Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I love coming back to Painter's Mill. Castillo sucks you in at the very beginning with a heinous crime, involving the Amish. From there, it doesn't stop. A lot of suspense and second guessing every character. I love Katie and the entire police force. These are always such fun books to read and definitely one of my favorite series!

This was another great addition to the Kate Burkholder series. I love that you do not need to read the series in its entirety to understand what is going on. There is enough back story provided to fill you in on the town of Painters Mill and the main characters.

I enjoyed Fallen but there were parts that felt repetitive and certain incidents in the book reminded me of scenes in some of the other books in the series, with that being said it was still an intriguing and thrilling read. Telling the story of a woman who was brutally murdered and formerly Amish; sets Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder on a new case determined to find out what happened to a woman she knew from childhood. There are several twists and turns along the way.

I think if you’re a fan of the series you’ll enjoy the book. I think if this is your first time reading one in the series it would be a good start since it covers a lot of the bases. I really enjoy the series and always look forward to Burkholder’s cases.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the advanced copy.

Linda Castillo never fails to keep you interested. The story of finding a woman who was found murdered keeps you enthralled with all the twists and turns. She grabs you immediately and doesn't let you go until the last page.

A woman is found murdered in a small town in Amish Country, and the chief of police, a woman who used to be Amish as well, must solve it. The victim, Rachael Schwartz, was a former Amish woman who moved to the big city long ago. Why was she back in the small town of Painters Mill, and who murdered her? As Kate investigates Rachael's background, she finds she was involved in many secrets in the small town, and one that someone definitely would have killed for. Who is protecting a dangerous secret?

I really enjoy the Kate Burkholder series. This is another great story, full of twists and a whodunit I didn't see coming. She definitely surprises readers and I always look forward to her books.

Every summer I’m privileged to travel to Painters Mill and pay a visit to my favorite chief of police, Kate Burkholder.

The body of a woman is found horribly beaten in a seedy hotel room. When Kate arrives to investigate the crime scene, she immediately recognizes the victim. Rachel Schwartz. A young woman who left the Amish community and its lifestyle far behind. So, what brought Rachel back to Painters Mill? And what kind of monster would beat her so brutally?

Kate’s police force is chocked full of distinctly colorful characters, with names like Pickles and Glock. All fiercely protective of their chief, and Kate respects and deeply appreciates every single one of them in turn.

As for the romance with her BCI agent…. It remains steamy, although taking somewhat of a back-seat in this read.

So often when I read a long-standing series, I find myself purely in it for the fascinating characters but finding the storyline to be lacking. Not so with Linda Castillo’s books! I enjoyed both the characters and storyline equally. Such a treat!

This series continues to be my hands-down favorite. And Linda Castillo once again delivers a rock-solid addition. Already looking forward to next summer’s trip to Painters Mill.

A buddy read with Susanne who listened to the audio alongside my reading an e-copy.

Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books.

Review Posted on Blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend.com/

Kate Burkholder is back in “Fallen” by Linda Castillo.

Lucky for me, I got my hands on the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Kathleen McInerney, which allowed me to brush up on my Pennsylvania Dutch - which as Kaceey describes it, allows me to be multilingual, lol!). (For example, Good Morning: Guder Mariye; Good Afternoon: Guder Nammidaag; How are you today?: Wie bischt du heit?) :-)

In “Fallen” a former Amish woman returns to Painters Mill only to be violently murdered in a hotel room immediately upon her return. Upon investigating, Kate Burkholder immediately recognizes the body as a young girl who left the fold years prior, leaving Kate to wonder why someone would want to kill Rachael Schwartz.

A Mystery/suspense involving one of my favorite characters, that while enjoyable, had me guessing the culprit very early on. Though I love Kate Burkholder and this series, I found the amount of trouble Kate constantly finds herself in, a tad unbelievable for a veteran detective such as Kate. Though I found "Fallen" to be a bit over the top, I adore this series and the cast and anxiously await the next book in this series.

A buddy read/listen with Kaceey.

Thank you to NetGalley / Minotaur Books for the arc, and Macmillan Audio for the alc.

Published on Goodreads, Instagram, and Twitter.

I read Fallen in March, but held back the review until closer to publication.

Kate Burkholder left the Amish community years ago, but her familiarity with Amish customs and traditions are useful in her job as police chief in Painters Mill. Having grown up in an Amish family, Kate understands and often sympathizes with the men and women she interviews during an investigation. It doesn't mean she agrees with their thinking or their behavior, but she does have a context for it. Even in devout communities, crimes occur and victims need justice.
When Rachael, "the only girl as bad at being Amish as Kate was" is found dead in a motel room in Painters Mill, Kate realizes she knew her years ago. Rachael had been rebellious, eventually banned, and had left town for another life beyond Amish restrictions. Why had she returned and who would have committed this brutal murder?

Each of Castillo's Kate Burkholder books functions as a standalone, an added bonus to an excellent series. Her books are interesting because of the well-developed characters, the plots, and the insight into the Amish way of life. I always look forward to new adventures with Kate.

NetGalley/St. Martin's Press

This is #13 in the Detective Kate Burkholder series
I have read several in this series; also have read many other Amish mystery novels and find the culture super interesting.
This story starts when Rachael Schwartz is found brutally murdered in her room at the Willowdell Motel in Painters Mill.
Kate Burkholder is the Chief of Police in Painters Mill a (fictional) small Northeast Ohio town where most the residences are Amish.
If you are new to this series, Kate was born Amish but left the congregation many years ago.
Kate remembers Rachael from her childhood. Rachael was known to be a bit of rule breaker and as says she is the only girl she ever met who was worse at being Amish than Kate! Rachael was precocious questioning authority and was argumentative and fled the area twelve to thirteen years ago. So it was a surprise that she returned.
Kate and John Tomasetti is an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal and also in a relationship with Kate and usually helps in cases such as this.

‘Whodunit’ sure kept me curious. I like Kate and Tomasetti and anxious to read more about their relationship. I look forward to #14.

Personal Note: The only thing I don’t like is Kate’s nasty language ~ true I didn’t reach or go over my
tolerance level with these nasty words.. I know I am in the minority in that I am NOT a fan of f-bombs
nor other profanity. I do ‘get’ that sometimes anger and frustration take over
so that an expletive is the powerful emotion that fits however, in many cases another decent word is
just as effective.

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 6, 2021

Linda Castillo does it again! Each story she tells keeps you guessing until the end. This one did not disappoint. I love Kates character and the author has easily made her likable. Kate makes you want to root for her and her success. Linda Castillos writing style flows well and makes for a fast read. I finished this in just a few hours. Overall a great book with a good storyline, likable characters, and a twist all set in the Amish world.

Over the years I’ve read several of Linda Castillo’s Amish mysteries. They have never disappointed and neither does her new book Fallen. Having lived in an area home to a fairly large Amish community not unlike the setting of her novels, I appreciate the way she portrays them in a realistic manner rather than as a quaint throwback to yesteryear. Anyone who would enjoy a look into a different culture wrapped in a exciting story will enjoy this book as well as the others in the series.

I love the Kate Burkholder series from Linda Castillo and was so excited to get an ARC of the latest from NetGalley. As always, it was a great mix of suspense, drama and had an action packed ending. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. If you like a quick read that is exciting with strong and interesting characters, then you should definitely check out this series.

Linda Castillo just keeps these amazing stories coming. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with Kate Burkholder and the rest of the Painter's Mill Police Department. If you haven't read the previous books in this series, you can still enjoy this one as the case/mystery is self-contained, but you would miss a lot of character development and excellent stories. Chief of Police Burkholder grew up as a member of the Painter's Mill Amish Community. She left the faith and went to college and eventually became a police officer in a big city in Ohio. She returned home when the chief of police job opened up. For a small community, there sure is a lot of crime. In this story, a young woman was murdered and it turns out it was someone Kate grew up with. A woman who also left the Amish Community when she was a teenager. As Kate delves into this crime and the motive for it, she discovers things that had occurred years ago and never been brought to light. Can Kate find the murderer and if it is the person she suspects, can she bring him in?

This was another wonderful addition to this series. Kate is still putting herself in danger as she will do just about anything for justice. She wants to give closure to family and friends and make sure that the wrongs are dealt with. As with all the books in this series, they start off with a bang and don't let up much. There are twists, revelations and many clues and red herrings along the way. I will say that this book was a bit darker than the others in this series, so be prepared for that. I love the characters in this series, they are like old friends. The personal storyline continues with Kate still putting off John Tomasetti's proposal of marriage. They are living together and he isn't ready to give up, so we shall see if they get married in the next book.